Issue with first contract

[Eirikur]

The only advice is do not stop applying, don't cancel interviews even if all the paperwork is done and signed until your bum is actually on the seat at the client.

[northernladuk]

The only advise is do not stop applying, don't cancel interviews even if all the paperwork is done and signed until your bum is actually on the seat at the client.

That's not advise.. It's advice.

[Eirikur]

That's not advise.. It's advice.

FT

[psychocandy]

To be honest, possibly agent is either playing "its all sorted cant be arsed I've moved onto other things" or "I cant be arsed to sort the amendments out so I'll let contractor start and it'll be too late then".

I'd try a bit harder to contact agent but if the date comes closer I'd be onto the client telling them that agent is pissing about. Should focus attention a bit.

Of course, if for some reason, its all gone wrong, hopefully not, you'll find out.

[MrMarkyMark]

To be honest, possibly agent is either playing "its all sorted cant be arsed I've moved onto other things" or "I cant be arsed to sort the amendments out so I'll let contractor start and it'll be too late then".

Errrr, what makes you so sure ?
As I said, if the agent has nothing new to say don't expect a call, especially when there are still 2 weeks before the planned start.

[Cirrus]

he said it is still with the client's legal department.

I've never had a contract changed in nearly 30 years of contracting so I don't know how this works but I would be somewhat nervous. If you have been offerred a contract and you have said "No thanks unless you change some words" then to me that is prima facie "I reject your job".

If the agent has not come back to you the most likely reason is the client isn't progressing the changes. The most likely reason for that is they have tons of other things to do and simply can't be bothered about some supplier causing trouble.

I would certainly contact the client resourcer to find out whether this is a problem. You don't want to finish up 24 hours before your start date only to find nothing has been agreed.

[MrMarkyMark]

I've never had a contract changed in nearly 30 years of contracting so I don't know how this works but I would be somewhat nervous. If you have been offerred a contract and you have said "No thanks unless you change some words" then to me that is prima facie "I reject your job".

Errrm wondering how useful your advice is, in this instance, then

Conversely, some us get things changed all the time
You are not necessarily rejecting the job, you are rejecting the terms of the engagement.

Unsure if he is using a professional for these negotiations, as that is often the quickest way to get a result.

[fidot]

If you have been offerred a contract and you have said "No thanks unless you change some words" then to me that is prima facie "I reject your job".

but you don't say it like that - you say "I accept subject to contract", just like one does when buying a house.

[psychocandy]

]I've never had a contract changed in nearly 30 years of contracting[/B] so I don't know how this works but I would be somewhat nervous. If you have been offerred a contract and you have said "No thanks unless you change some words" then to me that is prima facie "I reject your job".

If the agent has not come back to you the most likely reason is the client isn't progressing the changes. The most likely reason for that is they have tons of other things to do and simply can't be bothered about some supplier causing trouble.

I would certainly contact the client resourcer to find out whether this is a problem. You don't want to finish up 24 hours before your start date only to find nothing has been agreed.

Is this a wind up?

So you accept every single contract and don't get it reviewed?

Not quite sure what to say. I think you are one of the ones that the agent says "well no-one else wants it changed".

A contract offer is just that. A chance to negotiate. By saying you want it changed, all your doing is saying "yes I will agree if you change this bit". Ultimately, of course, either party is free to say no or no thanks I wont do it then.

I must admit I've never been scared to do so either. Remember its usually the agent you're negotiationg with at this point. OK fair enough they may need to refer to the client but thats their job.

Not saying an agent wont moan and whinge about but tough luck. They want it signed sealed and delivered so dont want to waste any more time - but like I said tough.

Must admit though, if after contract review, I suggested some relevant changes, the offer got withdrawn because I was "being awkward" I'd consider it a bullet dodged anyway!

If they say no to any changes, then fair enough, its a negotiation, up to me then.

[psychocandy]

Errrm wondering how useful your advice is, in this instance, then

Conversely, some us get things changed all the time
You are not necessarily rejecting the job, you are rejecting the terms of the engagement.

Unsure if he is using a professional for these negotiations, as that is often the quickest way to get a result.

Always wondered about doing this. Who do you use?

It gets a bit tiring when you get the ex-carphonewarehouse pimp coming out with the standard lines such as:-

"This is our standard contract - we can't change it"
"No need to get contract reviewed - ours are IR35 friendly"
"You're the first contractor to ever have an issue with this"
"If you delay signing, the client is likely to withdraw the offer"
"You're being awkward and not acting professionally"

I expect a lot of us have heard this all before....
Get someone else in I guess and they dont try it on.